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Air New Zealand has ranked second in the Asia Pacific region for 2025 in the Cirium On-Time Performance Review, reflecting improvements in schedule reliability across the airline’s network.
Air New Zealand achieved an on-time arrival rate of 79.29 per cent in 2025 and successfully operated 97.22 per cent of its scheduled services, completing 171,216 flights.
This compares with an on-time arrival rate of 77.3 per cent in 2024, with the global average sitting at just more than 76 per cent.
The airline’s domestic jet network recorded an on-time arrival rate of 81 per cent, while its regional network achieved 80.7 per cent.
Air New Zealand general manager airports Kate Boyer says the result reflects a business-wide programme of work focused on improving schedule reliability for customers.
“Getting customers to where they need to be on time and safely is fundamental for any airline,” says Kate.
“We have a target for our on-time performance to be in the top five globally. While we still have work to do, this result shows we are moving in the right direction.”
Improvements follow the introduction of a new scheduling strategy across the airline’s regional network in 2025, which reviewed how schedules are built to better reflect the operational realities of different airports.
Previously, aircraft turn times were applied uniformly across the network. The revised approach recognises that ground operations can vary depending on airport layout, congestion and gate requirements.
“For example, at Auckland Airport some gates require additional time for aircraft tugs, so we’ve allowed for that in the schedule,” says Kate.
“By planning around what actually happens on the ground, we are setting ourselves up for more reliable performance for our customers.”
The changes contributed to stronger results toward the end of 2025, with 84.5 per cent of regional flights arriving on time in November, followed by 81.2 per cent in December.
The scheduling approach is now being rolled out across the airline’s domestic jet and international networks. Air New Zealand is also developing a digital tool to assess the specific needs of each airport it operates to and recommend schedule adjustments to support improved on-time performance.
Alongside scheduling changes, the airline has invested in additional frontline training, introduced a new customer assistance role focused on wheelchair services, upgraded ground handling equipment and embedded a digital communications application across its operations.
“This is a daily focus across the business,” says Kate. “While it’s encouraging to see our progress recognised, what matters most is delivering for our customers every day.”
On-time arrivals are measured using A15 data, which counts a flight as on time if it arrives at the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time.
